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The crime statistics do not show that Mexico is way more dangerous than the US. The media grossly exaggerates the crime in Mexico.
There are many areas right here in the USA where you don't want to go. Particularly at night.
And there are many vacation destinations with much higher crime rates than Mexico.
dc

I have thought about looking into one of those 'group rides that have experienced 'host's' Anyone ever done one? I thought it might be a nice winter break....if the the timing is right ? Not sure what they cost either ?

and the topes & the donkeys & the cattle & the goats & the potholes & the curves...
R.e. tour comment above: Nothing against the "tour industry" as there are many people that don't want to plan their own trips or lack the time to do so but (& it's a large but for me!) the planning is for me & many others, much of the joy of travel-& a large expense I don't pay! No doubt their experience alleviates some of the hassle of a bad hotel choice, food as well but travel has it's glitches and some are note worthy in both directions. On ADVrider one of the most active areas is "Trip Planning" , which is divided into geographic areas. Many thousands of posts there as also found on Horizons Unlimited for same purpose. A few riders are proponents of the "fly with no planning ride" as it's seen as a burden. For me & many others the plan is part of the ride. I will admit to sneeking a peak at the routes experienced tour operators choose but it sure doesn't limit my route or lodging choices & neither does the large cost of many organized tours hold back my trips.

"If I had my life to live over, I'd dare to make more mistakes next time...I'd relax,I'd limber up... I would take fewer things seriously...take more chances... take more trips...climb more mountains...swim more rivers...eat more ice cream." Jorge Luis Borges at age 85.

I have thought about looking into one of those 'group rides that have experienced 'host's' Anyone ever done one? I thought it might be a nice winter break....if the the timing is right ? Not sure what they cost either ?

Just depends on what you like and, most important, what you're willing to pay. I've ridden on my own in Canada, Alaska, Mexico, France, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Georgian Republic, and Azerbaijan. Used my own bike in many, but also rented a couple of times. No problems, great time, would do any or all again in a heartbeat.

I've been on group tours in Mexico (with MotoDiscovery); Portugal, Spain, and Morocco (with IMT); and Vietnam (with Explore Indochina). They provided bikes, hotels, dinners. No problems, great fun. The obvious differences are you don't pick the route or make the arrangements, and you're with other riders if you prefer companionship to riding alone. Of course they can be expensive. Would do any or all again without question.

Thanks very much for the compliment - means a lot coming from a Mexico rider like you.

I think it was 2006 - a friend and I rode our Ducatis to San Miguel with you, Big Jim, and a MotoDiscovery tour group. Fantastic trip and I really appreciated the riding lessons through the mountains!

Best regards,
Mike

Hola Miguel, Was that the New Year's Ride with Big Jim? This is a partial group photo from that trip, Zan and Angela Smith from England are to the far right then Myself and Rena are standing next to my black R1100GS. Mike, I do remember there were two Ducatis in our MotoDiscovery tour group!

!Hola Senor Chuy!

Originally Posted by beemerdons

Hola Miguel, Was that the New Year's Ride with Big Jim? This is a partial group photo from that trip, Zan and Angela Smith from England are to the far right then Myself and Rena are standing next to my black R1100GS. Mike, I do remember there were two Ducatis in our MotoDiscovery tour group!

Don Chuy, unfortunately that would not have been me. We took a fall trip, not the New Year's trip: Two Ducatis, two GS's, one Gold Wing, and one KLT. Here I am freezing in McAllen the morning of our departure:

Stay out of NY

Well over 400 people were killed in NYC last year. Stay out of there. There are drugs and dealers and other desperadoes everywhere and NYC is one of the US's safest cities!
Come on, MX is a wonderful place as noted above. Be aware, be smart. The Mexican people love Yankees and really need our money so go, help them out and enjoy the food. Drink beer it's been brewed. I drink the water, eat the salad and use the ice that comes with my drinks and don't get .... well you know what. Others' results may vary.
Small scams to get a bit of unearned cash abound, avoid them but remember you can afford a couple of extra $ on the gas fill or the toll. If caught the normal reaction there is "Senior you have so much and we have so little!" Minor driving infractions are handled with a bribe. $20 seems to be common payment and DON'T hand it to the police for gods sake.... fold it under your license like a civilized traveler and let him take it from you. If he returns it no one has tried to bribe which is illegal there too. Be aware you are in another country and follow the laws! DO NOT TAKE A FIREARM INTO MEXiCO.. caught with one you are guilty and many Mexican jails have no provision nor resources to feed, clothe or care for you so don't expect it for about 5 years on a firearm violation.
Try all the food especially by the roadside vendors, pick something that is cooked in front of you so you know it is safe. Avoid the iced juice bars.. DAHIK. Learn a few Spanish words and try, it will make you much more human.
I spend lots of time in the back country along the border, both sides. It is possible to get yourself in trouble. There are venomous reptiles, centipedes, plants, and a few people. You are on a frontier. I hike remotely and alone and camp where the BP cannot save me. I've seen some interesting things. I've been safe in the most dangerous areas according to the CIA website. If you ride into MX a few hours you are much less apt to be a problem or in a problem. I love Mexico. I go. I'm still here. I probably wouldn't last the night in NYC.

Last edited by rdhudson; 12-09-2013 at 10:29 PM.
Reason: Typos!

2002 F650GS, 1998 R1100R 75th anniversary edition, 1983 R80RT (just sold), 1959 R60 (in restoration), Honda CT90
If you must make a mistake, make a new one each time.

New York man missing in Mexico during motorcycle trip

New York man missing in Mexico during motorcycle trip
Published February 09, 2014FoxNews.com

A 32-year-old New York man has been missing for almost two weeks while on a motorcycle trip through Latin America.

According to the New York Daily News, Harry Devert, from Pelham, has not been heard from since Jan. 25 while riding his motorcycle through Mexico.

"Just got an hour and a half long escort out of some area it was too dangerous for me to be," he told his girlfriend, Sarah Schiear, through WhatsApp. "Gonna get back on the road soon. Apparently there's another military escort waiting for me in some other town... I'm running way late because of the crazy military stuff..."

Devert was on his way to Zihuatanejo, where he planned to visit the beach where the final scene of "The Shawshank Redemption" was filmed, the Daily News reported.

His family said there has been no activity on his debit card and his phone is no longer in service. They said American and Mexican authorities are working to find him.

New York man missing in Mexico during motorcycle trip
Published February 09, 2014FoxNews.com

A 32-year-old New York man has been missing for almost two weeks while on a motorcycle trip through Latin America.

According to the New York Daily News, Harry Devert, from Pelham, has not been heard from since Jan. 25 while riding his motorcycle through Mexico.

"Just got an hour and a half long escort out of some area it was too dangerous for me to be," he told his girlfriend, Sarah Schiear, through WhatsApp. "Gonna get back on the road soon. Apparently there's another military escort waiting for me in some other town... I'm running way late because of the crazy military stuff..."

Devert was on his way to Zihuatanejo, where he planned to visit the beach where the final scene of "The Shawshank Redemption" was filmed, the Daily News reported.

His family said there has been no activity on his debit card and his phone is no longer in service. They said American and Mexican authorities are working to find him.

I wish him well !

Sometimes people just walk away from what they ? were, had, etc. Maybe this is one of those ?

There was a rider that disappeared on his way to the Laughlin River Run a few years back. I never heard if he was ever found. Disappearances happen all the time. Some by choice..some not.

Mexico happens to be on the way south but I sure don't get why one would want to visit unless getting lessons on surviving in poverty and how to screw up a whole country is your mission. For a several hundred year old society, it demonstrates mostly how Spanish culture places below the border produce lousy social results compared to other euro culture originated places. Hence the migration from those places to here.
Perhaps my views are somewhat colored by those I've met from there. Starting with a bunch of pampered upper class types at the college I taught at- without exception (5 of the first 5) all were cheats and thieves.
At least the illegals here in NC want to work- but they brought with them large numbers of hit and run accidents and assorted other issues. Most are illiterate in their own language so don't have much future here beyond manual labor.- must be a great place to be from when that sort of future is an improvement.

You'd be less cavalier about that missing person if it was one of your relatives..
Sure it can happen anywhere- tourists here get shot and killed sometimes- but it didn't.